When the hospital band struck up a march a group of nurses stepped out, bearing flags of the Allied Nations, and took a snappy turn around the flagpole. Every spectator, down to the last crippled convalescent, sprang to his feet and stood at salute. Then suddenly Sousa’s march blended into the lilting strains of Dixie. As the gallant music rang through the Australian bush, Nancy, who carried the American flag in the center of the group of nations, suddenly unfurled a small Confederate flag beneath the Stars and Stripes.
Bruce Williams and Pat Walden, standing on the sidelines, were the first to notice the battle-scarred Stars and Bars, and started cheering. The colored troops caught their enthusiasm and began to sing with the band. A moment later every spectator was singing the old song with all the zest possible. When the band crashed out the last notes the marching group broke up amid much clapping and cheers.
“You made a real hit with that, Nancy,” said Major Reed when Nancy went back to the grandstand where he sat.
The Major gave a brief talk on the cause for which they were fighting. He praised the fine courage of the men who had already paid so great a price, and spoke words of commendation for the nurses and doctors who were serving them so faithfully.
After the outdoor program Nancy and Miss Hauser went into the wards with the negro chorus which was glad to sing the familiar songs over and over so that all might hear.
When they had finished Nancy and Miss Hauser were thanking the singers when Nancy said to Sam Turner, leader of the chorus, “There’s surely something very familiar about your face, Sam.”
Sam’s wide mouth spread in a grin, “Reckon so. Plenty people seen dis mug, Miss. I used to be porter on de Dixie Flyer—dat special ’tween New York and Miami.”
“Oh, then maybe I’ve seen you there. I used to catch that train north sometimes.”
“Dem wus de days,” said Sam, rolling his eyes. “Many’s de time I pick up fifty dollar in tips on de way down.” He grinned knowingly. “Dey wus neber quite so flush comin’ back from Florida in de spring.”
“That’s all a thing of the past now, Sam—till we get this big job done,” said Nancy.